Springtime Affairs in a Noble Family

"How could it be Yu-jie who hit her? The eldest madam won't let her go to Wutong Garden." Qiu's mother was really panicked now and turned to look at the eldest madam.

Caixia said they met in the garden. "Prince Rongjia wanted to talk to Yu-jie, but Yu-jie refused, and they bumped into each other during the struggle."

"Where is Yu-jie now?" Cui Lingrong asked.

"Kneel in the courtyard of Wutong Garden," Caixia said.

"Go to Wutong Garden." Cui Lingrong took a deep breath and hurriedly went to Wutong Garden.

At this moment, in the Wutong Garden, Song Yu knelt in the courtyard, watched by all the maids and servants. If this matter were to get out, all her good reputation would be ruined.

From inside the room came Princess Rongjia's painful screams. The old lady was also in the room, bringing out basins of bloody water. The doctor said that the child definitely couldn't be saved, and it all depended on the mother's safety.

Grandma Song's brow twitched violently. The child she had been longing for hadn't even been happy for a month before it was gone.

"Don't worry, Grandma, you need to take care of yourself," Mrs. Xu said anxiously from the side.

"How can you expect me not to be anxious?" Old Madam Song's eyes were filled with tears. "The princess is of noble status. If anything were to happen to her, how would the Marquis's mansion explain it to the Rong Prince's mansion?"

The more she spoke, the more breathless she became.

"What about that rebellious daughter? She still won't admit her mistake?" Old Mrs. Song was referring to Song Yu.

Grandma Song made her granddaughter kneel in the yard because her beloved granddaughter had done such a foolish thing.

Madam Xu said no, "Yu-jie still says she didn't bump into anything, but so many people saw it and they all said that Yu-jie bumped into the princess." She didn't understand why Yu-jie would do such a thing.

Some time ago, Yu-jie stopped her younger brothers from going to Wutongyuan, and the old lady heard about it.

At the time, thinking that Yu Jie'er and her brother were already grown up, it would be too difficult for them to get close to Princess Rongjia. As long as they maintained a superficial harmony, Old Madam Song didn't interfere much.

Looking back now, I realize that Yu Jie'er harbored resentment towards Princess Rongjia all along, which led to what happened today.

"Then let her keep kneeling until her father returns, and see if she'll still be so stubborn. As for Madam Cui, let her kneel too. She's raised such a good daughter, truly remarkable!" Old Madam Song heard the crying from inside the house. Wang Shanxi's wife came out and said that the princess had woken up and was crying again, so she hurried in to comfort her.

"My child." Princess Rongjia lay on the bed, her eyes red and swollen from crying. She bit her lip tightly and looked at the old lady. "Mother, I... my child is gone."

"I know, don't cry." Old Madam Song held Princess Rongjia's hand. Seeing Princess Rongjia cry, her own tears fell as well. "You can't cry now, or you'll develop health problems."

Wang Shanxi's wife also chimed in, "Yes, Princess, quickly hold back your tears. You must believe that the old lady and the Marquis will definitely stand up for you."

Princess Rongjia turned her head away, tears sliding down her cheeks onto the pillowcase. She remained silent, making her appear even more pitiful.

Upon hearing the news, Song Shulan rushed over and clenched his fists upon seeing the scene.

"Princess, how...how are you?" Song Shulan bent down.

Princess Rongjia didn't turn around. She choked back tears and said, "My lord, our child..."

She couldn't continue.

Song Shulan was furious. He was looking forward to the birth of this child, believing that the child would be a bond that would bring him closer to the Rong Prince's Mansion.

For some reason, every time he met Prince Rong and his heir, even though they were chatting and laughing and didn't try to show off in front of him, he still felt uneasy.

The child is gone, and the bond has thinned.

Song Shulan angrily rebuked, "How have you all been serving us? You're all good-for-nothings! What use are you to the Marquis's mansion?"

Wang Shanxi's wife knelt down, "This old servant is guilty, but Your Highness, please understand, it's really... it was Yu'er who acted too suddenly."

Only when this was mentioned did Song Shulan think of his daughter kneeling in the courtyard.

For a moment, Song Shulan didn't believe that it was his daughter who pushed Princess Rongjia.

Yu Jie'er was lively and adorable; she was his first child, and he initially showered all his love on her. However, during this time, he heard quite a bit about how Yu Jie'er disliked the princess.

Wang Shanxi's wife continued, "The princess only wanted to ease the tension with Yu'er. Since they met in the garden, they sat down for a cup of tea. But after only a few words, Yu'er scolded the princess for meddling in other people's business, saying that her affairs were none of the princess's concern. She even said... said..."

Song Shulan: "What did you say?"

"There's nothing to be proud of about being a princess. Getting pregnant isn't a skill; what matters is giving birth and raising the child." As soon as Wang Shanxi's wife finished speaking, Song Shulan rushed out.

He kicked Song Yu hard in the shoulder, and Song Yu, who had been kneeling for a while, was slammed to the ground.

Song Yu was stunned. Her first reaction wasn't pain, but rather that her father had kicked her.

He kicked her in front of so many people.

"What exactly did she say to Father?" Song Yu's eyes were bloodshot. "Why don't Father and Grandmother believe me when I say I didn't push her?"

Her father and grandmother used to dote on her, and even after her younger brothers were born, she still had many things that were unique to her.

Her father also said that she was the apple of the Marquis's eye and deserved the best things in Bianjing, as well as the best young men.

Grandmother also said that she was her heart and soul, and that when she got married, Grandmother would definitely prepare a generous dowry for her.

Today, they refused to listen to her explanation and forced her to kneel in public in the courtyard.

Only then did Song Yu wince in pain from the sharp pain in her shoulder, but her heart ached even more.

Song Shulan pointed at her daughter, "I've said it before, the princess is also your mother, you should respect and honor her. But you dared to talk back to the princess so disrespectfully. Song Yu, where is your upbringing? Your mother is always nagging about rules and etiquette, how could she raise a daughter like you?"

Song Yu's face turned pale; she had never been called ill-mannered before.

From a young age, she was always praised. Her mother raised her with great care, and she never brought shame to the family.

"Does my father really not believe me at all?"

"Are you suggesting that the princess would rather lose her unborn child than let you fall down and frame you? What makes you, Song Yu, so powerful that you could make the princess sacrifice so much?" Song Shulan roared uncontrollably. He was about to be promoted, but now that Princess Rongjia had miscarried, Prince Rong would surely blame him.

If he misses out on a promotion because of this, Song Shulan will regret it for the rest of his life.

"So what if I say that's exactly what she did?" Song Yu countered.

"Stubborn to the end, you have truly disappointed your father." Song Shulan called over the old woman, "The eldest daughter has made a mistake and shows no remorse. Make her kneel in the ancestral hall for ten days and ten nights. Once the princess is better, let the princess deal with her."

Seeing the old women about to attack, Song Yu staggered to her feet, her eyes filled with despair. "Why should I regret something I didn't do? My father didn't even bother to interrogate me, he just accused me without asking any questions. Even if the Prefect of the Capital arrests a criminal, he still needs to provide witnesses and evidence. You believe whatever Princess Rongjia says."

Song Yu laughed, then burst into laughter. "I'll say it again: I will never admit to something I didn't do. Also, my mother is the best mother ever; I, Song Yu, will only ever have one mother in this lifetime!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Song Yu rushed toward the stone pillar, determined to prove her innocence with her death.

Qiu Tang's eyes widened as she watched her master rush towards the crashing object. She quickly got up and rushed over to hug her master.

But Song Yu still bumped into the stone pillar, and his forehead immediately became red and swollen.

"Sister Yu!"

This scene was witnessed by Cui Lingrong, who rushed to her daughter's side.

Cui Lingrong trembled all over, "Yu-jie, how are you? Don't scare your mother."

When Qiu Tang saw the eldest mistress arrive, she quickly spoke up for her mistress, "Eldest mistress, you must stand up for me! Today in the garden, I encountered Princess Rongjia, and I didn't mean to cause trouble; I simply stepped aside to let her pass. It was Princess Rongjia who said you weren't right, and that's when I retorted. I really didn't push Princess Rongjia, I really didn't!"

Upon seeing her mother, Song Yu could no longer contain her emotions and burst into tears, hugging her tightly. "Mother, I'm in so much pain. Father and Grandmother don't believe me. I... I might as well die!"

"Don't say such foolish things!" Cui Lingrong tenderly wiped away her daughter's tears. "I've told you before, there's no hurdle in this world that can't be overcome. If you die, wouldn't it be a tragedy for your loved ones and a cause for celebration for your enemies?"

After speaking, she looked at Song Shulan again, her eyes filled with disappointment and resentment. "My lord, don't you know what kind of person Yu'er is?" She gritted her teeth, emphasizing each word, "Or do you really think your daughter is a vicious person?"

Song Shulan was speechless for a moment. In his anger, he had said many hurtful things. But the fact that his daughter would rather die than admit to hitting Princess Rongjia made him suspicious.

Cui Lingrong took a deep breath. "I believe Yu'er is innocent. If my adopted daughter had done such a harmful thing, I, Cui Lingrong, would rather be divorced and leave the Jiangyuan Marquis's mansion with Yu'er, never to return to Bianjing again in this lifetime!"

She glared at Song Shulan, wishing she could gouge a hole in him with her eyes to see how muddled his brain was. "But a sentence requires evidence. The people from Wutong Garden will definitely side with Princess Rongjia. How can the Marquis believe only the one-sided story from Wutong Garden?"